Veteran Lewis boasts experience, success

Duke coach David Cutcliffe didn’t put quarterback Thaddeus Lewis among a group that included Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, Heath Shuler and Tee Martin.

For one game, he placed Lewis above them. 

After a 49-28 victory in which Lewis readily handled the Wolfpack for 502 yards on total offense and 13 of 19 conversions on third-down attempts, the coach needed to make one statement.

“It has to be the best game I’ve ever had a quarterback have in college,” Cutcliffe said to .

The early October game was only one of the impressive victories that the fourth-year starter has orchestrated en route to the team’s 5-3 record. 

A three-game streak that began with the win over N.C. State marks an accomplishment that has not been reached by Duke since 1989.

With it, the Blue Devils have risen to the top of the ACC standings, tied in the loss column with Georgia Tech.

It remains an unexpected but not unbelievable feat — with credit to Lewis.

The athletic quarterback has showcased his strong arm in the conference’s top-ranked pass offense that averages 325.1 yards per game and ranks fifth in the NCAA. 

In eight games, Lewis boasts a 63.5 completion percentage with 15 touchdowns and four interceptions.

The quarterback ranks second in passing average per game behind Florida State’s Christian Ponder. 

“He can extend plays,” coach Butch Davis said. “When protection breaks down, or by design, they can use him in quarterback draws. He can get them outside the pocket. He can run. He’s throwing the ball well, and he’s very dangerous.”

Davis compared the multidimensionality of Lewis’ game to that of Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who faced the Tar Heels in the team’s victory in Blacksburg.

Safety Deunta Williams shared a similar scouting report on the rival quarterback.

“He has enough athletic ability that when the play breaks down, he can make plays,” Williams said. “He’s always looking downfield to throw the deep bombs.”

But in addition to Lewis’ offensive capabilities, the veteran quarterback has proven to rarely make mistakes. 

Lewis has thrown only four interceptions this season despite leading the conference in attempts.

During his junior season, he held the school record for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception with 206, and most pass attempts in a game without an interception with 52.

Despite Lewis’ high success in the passing game, the Blue Devils’ total offense only ranks forth in the ACC. 

While anchored by premiere quarterback play, the Blue Devils have proved to be weighed down by the conference’s worst rushing offense that averages a meager 75.2 yards per game on the ground. 

As a result, Lewis’ passing performances have accounted for much of the team’s unforeseen success. But it came as no surprise to North Carolina quarterback T.J. Yates.

Yates is well acquainted with the Duke quarterback both on and off the field, beginning with the Manning camp held in the summer.

“He’s an extremely smart guy,” Yates said. “He’s been around a long, long time. I was watching some of his games and he seems to have it all together.”

At camp, Yates said they discussed football — along with a few interjections made by the UNC quarterback.

“Yeah I haven’t seen the victory bell in their possession,” he said. “We’d like to keep it that way.”